Aruba

Aruba is a small Caribbean island and constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located just 29 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela. Known as "One Happy Island," Aruba is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, attracting over 2 million visitors annually with its pristine beaches, year-round sunshine, and Dutch-Caribbean culture.

The island has a single international airport, Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), which handles all commercial traffic. Despite its small size (180 km²), Aruba has excellent air connectivity, particularly to the United States, with direct flights from major hubs like Miami, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago. The island's position outside the hurricane belt makes it a reliable year-round destination.

US Dollars are widely accepted alongside the Aruban Florin, and English is commonly spoken despite Dutch being an official language, making Aruba exceptionally accessible for American travelers.

International Gateway

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
AUA	Oranjestad	Only international airport	American, Delta, JetBlue, United

Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)

Aruba's sole commercial airport serves as the gateway to the island:

• Location: 4 km from Oranjestad, 7 km from high-rise hotel area
• Terminals: Single modern terminal, renovated in 2020
• US Preclearance: Aruba has US Customs and Border Protection preclearance, allowing passengers to clear US immigration before departing. This means arrivals in the US are treated as domestic flights
• Capacity: Handles over 2.5 million passengers annually
• Ground transport: Taxis readily available (fixed rates to hotel areas), rental cars at terminal
• Facilities: Duty-free shopping, restaurants, lounges

The US preclearance facility is a significant advantage, allowing travelers to bypass immigration lines upon arrival at US airports.

Local Airlines

Aruba Airlines (AG) is the island's flag carrier:

• Small regional airline based at AUA
• Operates limited scheduled service to destinations including Miami, Curacao, and Colombia
• Also operates charter services
• Modest fleet of narrowbody aircraft

International Carriers

Aruba is primarily served by foreign airlines, with US carriers dominating:

US Airlines:

• American Airlines (AA) — Miami (hub), Charlotte, Dallas, Philadelphia
• Delta Air Lines (DL) — Atlanta (hub), New York-JFK
• JetBlue (B6) — New York-JFK, Boston, Fort Lauderdale
• United Airlines (UA) — Newark, Houston, Chicago
• Southwest (WN) — Several US cities
• Spirit Airlines (NK) — Fort Lauderdale

Canadian:

• Air Canada — Toronto (seasonal)
• WestJet — Toronto (seasonal winter service)

European:

• KLM — Amsterdam (direct long-haul service)
• TUI fly — Amsterdam, Brussels (seasonal charters)

Regional:

• Divi Divi Air — Curacao, Bonaire (inter-island service)
• Winair — Caribbean island connections

Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of many countries can enter Aruba visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, including:

• United States, Canada
• European Union countries, United Kingdom
• Australia, New Zealand, Japan
• Schengen area countries
• Most Caribbean nations

As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba follows similar visa policies to the Netherlands for many nationalities, though it is not part of the Schengen Area.

Entry Requirements

• Passport: Valid for duration of stay
• Return ticket: Proof of onward/return travel required
• Embarkation/Disembarkation Card (ED Card): Must be completed online before arrival at edcardaruba.aw
• Accommodation: Proof of hotel reservation or address in Aruba

US Preclearance

Travelers returning to the United States clear US Customs and Border Protection in Aruba before departure:

• ESTA required for Visa Waiver Program travelers (same as entering the US directly)
• Valid US visa required for non-VWP nationals
• Allows domestic arrival at US airports

Passport Requirements

• Valid for duration of stay (6 months recommended)
• At least one blank page

Official information: Aruba Travel Requirements

Domestic Flights

Not applicable — Aruba is a single small island with no domestic air service. All destinations are accessible by road within 30-45 minutes.

Buses

Public buses (Arubus) connect major areas:

• Route 10: Oranjestad to San Nicolas (main route)
• Route 10A: Palm Beach hotel area to Oranjestad
• Buses run approximately every 30-60 minutes
• Inexpensive option but limited schedules

Taxis

Readily available throughout the island:

• Fixed rates: Government-regulated fares between zones
• No meters — confirm fare before departure
• Available at airport, hotels, and main tourist areas
• Approximate fares: Airport to high-rise hotels $25-30, to low-rise hotels $20-25

Car Rental

Popular option for exploring the island. Available at the airport and hotels:

• Drive on the right (same as US)
• Valid driver's license from home country accepted
• Minimum age typically 21-25
• 4WD recommended for Arikok National Park and north coast
• Most roads are paved and well-maintained
• Gas stations available in Oranjestad and Santa Cruz

Other Options

• Scooter/ATV rentals: Popular for exploring
• Hotel shuttles: Many resorts offer free shuttles to Oranjestad
• Water taxis: Service between Palm Beach and downtown

Peak Season (December-April)

High season with perfect weather and highest demand:

• Dry season with minimal rainfall
• Temperatures 27-30°C (80-86°F)
• Trade winds keep conditions comfortable
• Highest prices and most crowded beaches
• Book well in advance, especially for holidays

Shoulder Season (May, November)

Good value with pleasant conditions:

• Slightly lower prices than peak season
• Good weather, occasional brief showers
• Fewer crowds at beaches and restaurants

Off-Season (June-October)

Best deals with reliable weather:

• Aruba is outside the hurricane belt — storms are rare
• Still warm and sunny with occasional rain
• 20-40% lower prices on accommodations
• Great time for budget travelers

Weather Advantage

Unlike most Caribbean destinations, Aruba's position outside the hurricane belt and in a semi-arid climate zone means:

• Only 20 inches (500 mm) of rain annually
• Hurricane risk is minimal
• Consistent year-round temperatures
• Trade winds provide natural cooling

Towns & Areas

Destination	Distance from AUA	Known For
Oranjestad	4 km	Capital, shopping, Dutch colonial architecture
Palm Beach	7 km	High-rise resorts, beach bars, nightlife
Eagle Beach	5 km	Wide beach, low-rise resorts, Divi Divi trees
Noord	6 km	California Lighthouse, restaurants
San Nicolas	22 km	Art district, Seroe Colorado, Baby Beach

Attractions

Beaches:

• Eagle Beach — Consistently rated among Caribbean's best, calm waters
• Palm Beach — Active beach with water sports, resorts, beach bars
• Baby Beach — Shallow lagoon, ideal for snorkeling and families
• Arashi Beach — Quiet beach near California Lighthouse

Natural Sites:

• Arikok National Park — Desert landscape, caves, natural pool (20% of island)
• Natural Pool (Conchi) — Rocky pool accessible by 4WD or hiking
• California Lighthouse — Northern tip, sunset views
• Natural Bridge — Coral limestone formation on north coast

Cultural:

• Oranjestad — Dutch colonial buildings, Fort Zoutman, Royal Plaza Mall
• San Nicolas — Street art murals, local culture, carnival
• Alto Vista Chapel — Historic 18th-century chapel

Money

• Currency: Aruban Florin (AWG), also written as Afl.
• Exchange rate: Fixed at 1.79 AWG = 1 USD
• USD: Widely accepted everywhere at near-official rates
• Cards: Major credit cards accepted at most establishments
• ATMs: Available in Oranjestad and hotel areas — dispense AWG or USD
• Tipping: 15-20% at restaurants (check if service charge included), $1-2 per bag

Electrical

• Voltage: 120V, 60Hz
• Plug type: Type A, B (same as US/Canada), some Type F (European)
• Adapters: US devices work without adapter; Europeans need adapter
• Note: Same electrical system as the United States

Connectivity

• Mobile carriers: SETAR, Digicel
• SIM cards: Available at airport and in town
• eSIM: Limited availability
• WiFi: Excellent at hotels and resorts
• US roaming: Many US plans include Aruba — check with carrier

Language

• Official languages: Dutch, Papiamento (Creole language)
• English: Widely spoken, especially in tourist areas
• Spanish: Also commonly understood
• Most tourism workers speak excellent English

Safety

Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean destinations:

• Low crime rate, especially in tourist areas
• Exercise normal precautions with valuables
• Avoid isolated areas at night
• Strong currents on north coast — swim only at designated beaches
• Emergency: 911 (police, fire, ambulance)

Health

• Tap water: Safe to drink (desalinated seawater)
• Sun protection: Essential — tropical sun is strong
• Medical facilities: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital in Oranjestad
• No mandatory vaccinations
• Strong trade winds can mask sun intensity

• Tourism: Aruba.com
• Entry Requirements: ED Card Application
• Airport: Aruba Airport
• US Travel Advisory: travel.state.gov/aruba
• Public Transport: Arubus
• National Park: Arikok National Park